"We cannot go on like this" – UN Secretary-General

With humanitarian needs growing exponentially worldwide, the UN Secretary-General has told the world, "We cannot go on like this".

Ban Ki-moon was speaking at the launch of a new report from a high-level panel on humanitarian financing.

The panel has provided recommendations on how to tackle the estimated US$ 15 billion shortfall in humanitarian funding.

Veronica Reeves has the story.

The panel's starting point was the stark facts and figures: 125 million people in need; and a record US$ 25 billion required to help them.

From there, the panel focused on ways to close the rising gap between those dramatic financial needs, and the resources available to meet those requirements.

Here's the Secretary-General speaking at the report's launch in Dubai.

"Humanitarian action is now the UN's costliest activity – even more than our peacekeeping operations. The report rightly points out that while record sums are being given to the global cause of humanitarian action, generosity has never been so insufficient. We cannot go on like this."

Mr Ban said the report focused on several key areas.

"The report's recommendations addresses the three question I posed at the outset; first how to raise more money and funding for humanitarian aid; second, how to make it more predictable; and third, how to improve its efficiency."

The Secretary-General is now expected to study the panel's findings in detail, and in a few weeks publish his own report and vision on the future humanitarian agenda.